Watertown Dog Bite Lawyers

Dog attacks in New York can be terrifying events with tragic results. Dog bites often occur unexpectedly and cause serious injuries, disfigurement and even death. Sadly, many of those injuries are preventable events that occur due to the irresponsible actions of dog owners who fail to take reasonable measures to protect others.

When a dog bites someone, the owners need to be held accountable for their negligence. If you’ve been attacked in or around Watertown, NY, you need The Law Offices of Scott C. Gottlieb & Associates, LLP, on your side.

Our Watertown, NY, attorneys will explain your legal options and help you decide whether it is advisable to pursue a settlement or jury trial to obtain the maximum awards. Just call or use our online contact form for a consultation at no charge. We Will Fight For You!

What You Need to Know About New York Dog Bites

There are 4.7 million dog bites in the United States every year. Of that number, more than 800,000 victims require medical attention for their injuries, which can range from minor cuts to life-threatening open wounds.

According to the American Humane Association, the majority of dog bite victims are children. Statistics show that 70% of dog-bite fatalities involve children under 10, and 65% of those vicious attacks involve head and neck trauma. Overall, 92% of bitten children need some sort of medical treatment for their injuries.

Many states have laws that hold owners liable in dog bite cases. However, there are no such dog-bite statutes in New York. The state does have a “one-bite rule,” which essentially gives a dog a free pass for its first bite. Under the one-bite rule, a dog owner cannot be held liable for injuries caused to the victim unless it can be proven that the owner knew his dog had vicious propensities and was negligent in efforts to confine the dog. That means that a New York dog owner, keeper or landlord may be held liable if proper measures were not taken to prevent injuries caused by a vicious dog.

Deaths from dog bites are rare, but statistically 15 to 20 people are killed in brutal attacks each year. Other trends indicate most dog attacks occur in people’s own neighborhoods and that a dog that has bitten once is more likely to bite again. Just one dog attack near your residence can make it a more unsafe environment for you and your family forever.

The majority of dog bites cause injuries to the face, which can lead to trauma, infection and scarring. Severe cuts, lacerations and puncture wounds can break bones, permanently damage the eyes and ears, and cause facial disfigurement that could require multiple surgeries to repair. Even then, there are no guarantees that a victim of a dog attack will ever entirely recover from their bites, which can cause serious psychological damage.

Dog bites and dog attacks account for one-third of all injury claims against homeowner liability policies. Medical treatment can be costly and ongoing, as many victims incur their first charges in the emergency room but may require multiple plastic surgeries during their recovery. These expenses can create financial hardships, especially if the dog attack requires the victim to miss work as a result of the injuries.

In general, damages in New York dog bite claims may be awarded to cover:

Medical expenses;

Rehabilitation;

Lost wages;

Lost future earnings;

Pain and suffering.

Contact Our Watertown, NY, Attorneys Today

Let us advise you of your legal options in a free consultation. Call the dog bite lawyers at The Law Offices of Scott C. Gottlieb & Associates, LLP or use our online contact form. We believe in taking a tough stance against reckless animal owners and understand the physical, financial and emotional toll that a dog bite can have on victims. All calls and inquiries receive a same-day response, usually within one hour.

Experience Counts. We believe that our Watertown, NY, law firm should be your choice to handle your injury claim. We base this on our years of experience and favorable results in New York legal claims. We also serve clients in Syracuse, Elmira, Rochester and Binghamton.